THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON STEREOTYPES: Know How You Think, Why, and How to Take Control

In this post I will feature a new book that is not actually in the "Picture Book" format. I feel that I have no choice, though. My stated mission for this blog is to select and feature excellent examples from among the fantastic array of picture books available, and to highlight ways in which picture books belong in reading lives at all ages. It's worth stretching the picture book label/category to encourage wide reading of this outstanding offering. To readers who check this one out and agree, I urge you to help me spread the word.

Kids Can Press 2020

 THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON STEREOTYPES: How Science Is Tackling Unconscious Bias is written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Drew Shannon. From the first pages, the authors introduce the latest in perr-reviewed brain science and learning, revealing the cold hard facts that have resulted when a dominant society operates under common stereotypes. Real people pay the price. The authors hope that by presenting current scientific information we might  begin the long process of rewiring our brains- individually and as communities and cultures. 

How many times have you wondered, about yourself or about others, "Why didn't they speak up?" or "Why would anyone go along with that?", or even "If I knew about it I would have done something." 

Maybe, but maybe not.

All too often the "choices" and "perceptions" we make, for ourselves and within social groups, are distorted and determined by presets and blinders created in our own brains. Those may relate to gender, ethnicity, age, race, able-ism, language and other biases, financial framing, mis-information that "feels" true but has not been confirmed, and unsubstantiated theories (poiitical, conspiracy, religious, and others).

This nonfiction, 88 page science book is a perfect blend of everything great in a book for kids and adults: an introduction, conclusion, five short and powerful chapters, further readings, sources, an index, and some helpful but simple spot illustration of text. It is a hybrid of a text-ish book and a picture book. 
That means it hits the sweet spot for both young readers and adult readers, providing countless "ah-ha" moments with nuggets of knowledge about how and why we think the ways we do. This book offers important new awareness of our/their internal processes that shape the way we perceive and interact with others. 

The latest research applies to "thinking" and concept formation on individual and society-wide levels. It also provides scientifically-based information about ways we can undo some subliminal processes, undoing or at least acknowledging and countering implicit and explicit bias.
This is the kind of book that can be read in an hour or two, but has the potential to fuel a lifetime of learning.
The introduction makes the point that thousands of years of evolution have hardwired our brains to seek and sort PATTERNS. It is a species survival tactic. But it also means we are wired for developing stereotypes, bias, and assuming causal patterns that are contrary to reality, resulting in lifelong prejudices and misjudgments.

The good news is that there are also reliable practices and processes to prevent and/or rewire our thinking for a more realistic and equitable view of the world.

All that, and more, with the accessibility of a nonfiction picture book. 

COVID 19 and BLACK LIVES MATTER notes:

JUST read the book, please. Trust science. Honestly explore your awareness of how and why you make the choices and decisions you do. Please?